Danish Poker Star Crowned Youngest Ever WSOP Champion

Danish player clinches glory at world's biggest poker tournament.

Peter Eastgate of Denmark has become the youngest ever player to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event.

Defeating Russia's Ivan Demidov in heads-up play at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas today (November 11th), the man from Odense clinched the $9 million (£5.8 million) first prize and a prestigious WSOP winner's bracelet.

Aged 22, Eastgate broke the record for youngest ever main event winner set by Phil Hellmuth, who was 24 when he triumphed at the WSOP in 1989.

Speaking to the WSOP website after his victory, the new champion revealed that Hellmuth approached him before the final playing session against Demidov.

"I spoke to [him] yesterday. He wished me luck and gave me a handshake," Eastgate said.

Reflecting on his runner-up finish, Demidov said that "a few big bluffs at the wrong time" had cost him the title.

The Moscow card sharp started the final session with 21 million chips less than Eastgate.

Dennis Phillips, an amateur player from St Louis, exited the competition in third place on Monday (November 10th).